Knowledge and Equity: How Cognitive Science Can Combat Unfairness

Gaps in test scores and other education outcomes are often framed in terms of race and ethnicity. Data reveal, however, that these gaps fundamentally rest on differences in socioeconomic status, and particularly levels of parental education, which often correlate with race. Of course we need to combat racism, as well as poverty, but schools can do a lot to level the playing field by ensuring that all students have access to the kind of academic knowledge and vocabulary that children of highly educated parents absorb at home, ideally beginning in the early grades. In this presentation, you'll hear about concrete, manageable steps schools and districts can take to enable all students to reach their full potential, including examples of explicit writing instruction. You'll also learn about promising developments at schools and districts that have adopted a knowledge-building approach.

Meet the Author

Tuesday, February 10 from 12:00pm - 12:30pm

Natalie Wexler will be greeting in-person attendees at the "Meet the Author" counter in the Bluebird Ballroom Lobby.